In peacetime, the forces have 23,000 soldiers, officers, civilian employees and conscripts. Total strength after mobilisation is 83,000 personnel.
Military Command
The top military leader is the Chief of Defence. In addition to this, the Chief is also the Minister of Defence's top military adviser.
The Norwegian Joint Headquarters (NJHQ) coordinates the operational part of the Armed Forces, both in Norway and abroad. The NJHQ is responsible for planning and managing the Armed Forces' operations in peace, crisis and war.
Political Command
The Norwegian constitution places the King as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The Government exercises this authority, while political control of the Armed Forces is exercised through cooperation and the division of power between the Government and Parliament.
The Minister of Defence heads the Ministry of Defence and has the constitutional and
political responsibility for the Armed Forces. All matters not decided in council, are decided by the Minister, or by departmental officials on the Minister's behalf. The current Minister of Defence is Mr. Frank Bakke-Jensen.
Re-organisation summer 2016
In 2016, the Norwegian Armed Forces were re-organised. Some departments were merged, and the number of departments was reduced from 21 to 14.
- The Salary and Pay Office was relocated and is now a part of the Norwegian Armed Forces HR and Conscription Centre.
- The Norwegian Armed Forces Joint Support Services was established in August 2016. Six former, independent departments were relocated and are now part of the Joint Support Services: the Media Centre, the Unit for Military Culture and Traditions, the Security Department, Forsvarets forum (The Defence's Forum), the Chaplain Corps, and the Accounting Office.